Neglected Trauma

The many humanitarian crises of recent years, the persistence of conditions of war and the systematic violation of human rights in many countries have forced millions of people to flee, undertaking journeys that are often very dangerous.

MSF conducted an investigation from July 2015 to February 2016 to study the mental health needs of asylum seekers residing in extraordinary reception centres (CAS) and their access to local services. The analysis – conducted in the provinces of Milan, Rome and Trapani, which were chosen because of their large numbers of reception centres – benefited from a two pronged approach using qualitative and quantitative methods.